Understanding the Texas Real Estate Market in 2026: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know

By Malcolm Davis, Realtor®

As we move through 2026, many Texans are asking the same question:

"Is now a good time to buy or sell a home?"

The answer depends on your goals, but one thing is clear: the Texas housing market is no longer the frenzy we experienced during the pandemic years. Instead, we're seeing a more balanced and healthier market emerge across much of the state.

Texas Is Returning to a More Normal Market

For several years, buyers faced intense competition, multiple-offer situations, and rapidly rising home prices. Today, the market is beginning to stabilize.

Across Texas, inventory has increased, homes are staying on the market longer, and buyers have more choices than they have had in years. At the same time, home sales have remained relatively steady, indicating that demand persists despite affordability challenges.

This shift is creating opportunities for both buyers and sellers who understand how to navigate today's market.

What Buyers Are Seeing in 2026

For buyers, the biggest advantage is increased inventory.

More homes are available for sale, which means buyers can:

• Compare multiple properties
• Take more time making decisions
• Negotiate repairs and concessions
• Request seller-paid closing costs
• Explore interest rate buy-down options

Texas currently has roughly five months of housing inventory statewide, which is considered close to a balanced market between buyers and sellers.

That doesn't mean buyers should wait indefinitely. While prices have softened in some areas, many experts expect moderate long-term appreciation rather than dramatic price declines.

What Sellers Need to Know

Sellers can still achieve successful sales, but the pricing strategy is more important than ever.

The days of simply listing a property and expecting multiple offers above asking price are largely behind us in many Texas markets.

Today's buyers are:

• More price-sensitive
• More informed
• More willing to negotiate
• More likely to compare multiple homes

Homes that are priced correctly and presented well are still selling. Overpriced homes, however, may sit on the market longer and eventually require price reductions.

Interest Rates Continue to Shape the Market

Mortgage rates remain one of the biggest factors affecting buyer affordability.

While rates have fluctuated throughout 2026, many loans remain in the mid-6% range. This has caused some buyers to become more cautious about monthly payments.

However, many buyers are discovering that waiting for dramatically lower rates may not be the best strategy. If rates decline significantly in the future, refinancing may be an option. The right home at the right price can still be a smart long-term investment.

Central Texas Remains Strong

Areas throughout Central Texas—including Killeen, Temple, Belton, Georgetown, and the greater Austin region—continue to benefit from population growth, military activity, job creation, and infrastructure investment.

While some markets have experienced price corrections from their peaks, demand remains supported by strong fundamentals and ongoing migration to Texas.

For military families, first-time buyers, and those relocating to the area, Central Texas continues to offer opportunities that are difficult to find in many other parts of the country.

My Outlook for the Rest of 2026

I believe the remainder of 2026 will continue to favor prepared buyers and realistic sellers.

We are seeing:

• More inventory
• More negotiation opportunities
• More balanced pricing
• Less competition than in previous years

This doesn't mean the market is crashing. It means the market is normalizing.

For buyers, that can create opportunities.

For sellers, that means strategy matters more than ever.

Final Thoughts

Real estate is always local. While statewide trends provide valuable insight, every neighborhood, city, and price range behaves differently.

Whether you're considering buying your first home, upgrading, downsizing, investing, or selling, having a knowledgeable Realtor® who understands your local market can make all the difference.

If you'd like to discuss what's happening in your specific area and how it affects your real estate goals, I'd be happy to help.

Malcolm Davis, Realtor®
Homevets Realty

"Helping Texas families make confident real estate decisions one home at a time."

New Year, New Keys: How 2026 and Central Texas Real Estate Go Hand in Hand

 New Year, New Keys: How 2026 and Central Texas Real Estate Go Hand in Hand

By Malcolm Davis | HomeVets Realty

The start of a new year always brings something powerful with it: clarity. We look at what we survived, what we learned, and what we’re finally ready to build. For many people in Central Texas, that next chapter looks like one thing—home.

Whether you’re a civilian planting roots in Killeen, Harker Heights, Temple, or Belton, or a military family preparing for PCS season at Fort Cavazos, the new year and real estate naturally belong together. Both are about fresh starts, stability, and creating a place where your future can grow.

A New Year Is a Reset Button

Every January gives us permission to begin again. New goals. New plans. New direction.

For some, that means upgrading from renting to owning.
For others, it means moving closer to family, downsizing, or finding a neighborhood that finally fits your lifestyle.

Real estate isn’t just a transaction—it’s a decision about how you want to live your life next. And there’s no better time to make that decision than when the calendar turns and your priorities come into focus.

Why Central Texas Is the Right Place for a Fresh Start

Central Texas continues to be one of the most resilient and opportunity-rich regions in the state. We offer:

• Affordable homeownership compared to major metro areas

• Strong military presence and community support

• Growing infrastructure, schools, and job markets

• A blend of small-town values and modern development

Whether you’re here for a tour of duty or for the long haul, CTX provides something rare: room to breathe while still building forward.

Serving Both Civilian & Military Families—With Purpose

At HomeVets Realty, our mission has always been about more than selling houses. We serve people—especially those who serve others.

For military families, I understand the unique pressures you face: PCS timelines, VA loans, uncertainty, and the emotional weight of relocating your life. Homeownership isn’t always simple in the military—but with the right guidance, it can be one of the strongest financial and personal moves you make.

For civilian families, I know the challenges too: rising costs, fear of making the wrong decision, and trying to balance dreams with reality. Whether this is your first home or your fifth, you deserve clarity, honesty, and an advocate who actually listens.

No matter your background, your uniform, or your journey—you deserve a home that fits your next chapter.

Real Estate Is More Than Property—It’s Progress

A new home represents:

• Stability in an uncertain world

• Equity instead of rent receipts

• Legacy for your family

• Control over your future

Every year, I watch families walk through their front door for the first time—some with keys shaking in their hands, some with kids running ahead into empty rooms that will soon become memories. That moment never gets old.

It’s not just about square footage. It’s about planting your flag in the life you’re choosing to build.

Let 2026 Be the Year You Move Forward

If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that waiting rarely creates change. But deciding does.

If you’re considering buying, selling, or simply exploring your options in Central Texas this year, let’s have a real conversation—no pressure, no hype, just truth and strategy.

This new year isn’t just another page on the calendar.
It’s an opportunity to step into something better.

From my family at HomeVets Realty to yours:
Here’s to new beginnings, new keys, and a future built on solid ground.

—
Malcolm Davis
HomeVets Realty
Serving Central Texas | Civilians & Military Families

From 2025 to 2026: New Beginnings, New Homes, New Opportunities

 

From 2025 to 2026: New Beginnings, New Homes, New Opportunities

By Malcolm Davis | Homevets Realty

As we close the door on 2025 and step confidently into 2026, the New Year brings more than a change in the calendar—it brings fresh opportunities, renewed goals, and new possibilities in real estate across Central Texas.

2025 was a year of adjustment, learning, and resilience for buyers and sellers alike. Interest rates shifted, inventory evolved, and many families took a more thoughtful approach to major financial decisions. Through it all, one thing remained constant: the desire for stability, ownership, and a place to truly call home.

As we move into 2026, that desire is stronger than ever.

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Reflecting on 2025: A Year of Strategy, Not Speed

In 2025, the real estate market rewarded preparation over pressure. Buyers became more educated, sellers more strategic, and transactions more intentional. Gone were the days of rushing into decisions—successful moves were made by those who planned, understood their options, and partnered with knowledgeable professionals.

For military families in particular, 2025 highlighted the importance of timing, VA loan education, and working with an agent who understands PCS moves, deployments, and long-term planning. These lessons set the foundation for a stronger, smarter 2026.

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What 2026 Brings for Central Texas Real Estate

As we step into 2026, Central Texas remains one of the most resilient and opportunity-rich markets in the state. With continued growth around Fort Hood, Killeen, Harker Heights, Temple, and surrounding areas, demand for quality housing remains steady.

Here’s what buyers and sellers can expect in 2026:

• More balanced opportunities – Buyers may find better negotiation power, while sellers who price and prepare correctly will still see strong results.
  
  

• Educated buyers win – Understanding credit, loan options, and market timing will be key.
  
  

• VA loans continue to be a powerful tool – Especially for veterans and active-duty families looking to build long-term wealth.
  
  

• Local expertise matters more than ever – National headlines don’t tell the full story of what’s happening on your street or in your neighborhood.
  
  

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New Year, New Goals: Is 2026 Your Year to Move?

The New Year is a natural time to ask important questions:

• Is it time to stop renting and start building equity?
  
  

• Does my current home still fit my family’s needs?
  
  

• Am I ready to invest, relocate, or upsize?
  
  

• How can homeownership support my long-term financial goals?
  
  

Whether your answer is “now,” “later this year,” or “I just want to understand my options,” 2026 is the year to get informed and prepared—not pressured.

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A Commitment Going Into 2026

As we move forward, my commitment remains the same:
To educate first, guide honestly, and serve with integrity.

At Homevets Realty, my focus is not just closing deals—it’s helping families make confident decisions, especially those who have served our country. Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest moves you’ll ever make, and you deserve an agent who treats it that way.

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Looking Ahead

2026 isn’t just another year—it’s a new chapter. Whether you’re planting roots, changing direction, or preparing for what’s next, real estate can be a powerful part of your journey when done the right way.

If homeownership, selling, or investing is part of your 2026 goals, let’s start the conversation early and build a plan that works for you.

Here’s to new beginnings, new keys, and new opportunities in 2026.

Happy New Year, Central Texas.

— Malcolm Davis
Real Estate Agent | Homevets Realty
Proudly serving Central Texas and our military families